Setting: New York City, present day
Main Character: Clover Brooks, a death doula who has dedicated her life to helping people as they reach the end of theirs. She keeps a record of all their regrets, but ignores her own. Because while Clover is very good at dealing with death, she's not so good at dealing with her own life. "I didn't expect to get to my mid-thirties and still have only one friend. That's the thing about loneliness: no one ever chooses it."
My thoughts: Clover's journey is one of uncertainty, love, fear, hope and second chances. She's a bookish introvert who struggles to make friends. And she's never been in love. I liked her a lot. And the people she meets along the way are so great. They each help her expand her small world in some unique way. I got caught up in this story right from the first page and didn't want to stop reading. This book made me feel all the feels: it's moving, humorous, charming, sad, satisfying, and heartwarming.
Favorite Quote: "The secret to a beautiful death is to live a beautiful life. Putting your heart out there. Letting it get broken. Taking chances. Making mistakes."
Here's to living a life with fewer regrets.
Happy Reading!
Don't think I'd like being a death doula but the book seems to redeem the character and give a satisfying read.
ReplyDeleteBeing a death doula would be an emotionally challenging and exhausting job. I don't think I could do it either.
DeleteThis sounds like a fascinating story. I really like that quote. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was such a lovely story. I'm so glad I read it.
DeleteThis sounds lovely. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to read something so different from what I normally read. I really enjoyed it.
DeleteInteresting profession, not one I would want, though.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a emotionally challenging job, and not something I would want to do either.
DeleteThat is a beautiful quote. I like that.
ReplyDeleteI love that quote ,too.
DeleteI like a book that can elicit some emotions.
ReplyDeleteMe, too! Especially when it leaves me smiling at the end.
DeleteI think that sounds like an amazing job to have and would happily spend a lot of time talking to someone who does that and hearing their experiences, because I've heard that odd things can happen when people pass. I'll look this book up.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one! I hope you get a chance to check it out. :D
DeleteClover does indeed sound like an interesting character.
ReplyDeleteI liked her, and I liked how she tried to learn something from all of her clients' last words and thoughts.
DeleteI love the sound of this story! I am adding it to my TBR right now - thank you! I'm so glad you read it and shared about it with us :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's one that you would like, Nadia. It makes you think, but leaves you feeling happy.
DeleteI’d like to read this. Thank you. Regine
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one. I think you'll like it. :D
DeleteI read another book about a death doula recently (checking) - it was The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult which I really liked.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look for that one. I've enjoyed a few of Picoult's books. Thanks for the rec! :D
DeleteSuch an interesting first line! I meant to say on your previous post that I am enjoying the sunshine as well.
ReplyDeleteBlue skies and sunshine always make you feel a little gladder, don't they? :D
DeleteI think I would like this book about a death doula. It would be interesting to see what that involves. I read another book that had a character that was a death doula, but that was more in the context of someone who was helping a person who was planning her own death. And the focus was not on the death doula.
ReplyDeleteThe emotional vibe in this one is not nearly so dark or sad. There are sad moments, but overall it's a pretty positive and uplifting read. Really funny at times, too. :D
DeleteThis sounds really interesting. I like the sound of Clover and while I wouldn't want to be a death doula it sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very good read. :D
DeleteWhat a beautiful message!
ReplyDeleteHer whole journey ended up being such a positive take on life and living and not leaving things until it's too late.
DeleteWhen I first went into social work, I considered hospice work. I imagine being a death doula would be both rewarding and difficult. I really want to read this book.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good! I think you would really like it. :D
DeleteIt seems like being a death doula would be depressing, but the story sounds like it was uplifting. Glad to see you enjoyed it, Lark! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is an uplifting book. And her take on death, and on being with someone in their last moments, was pretty life-affirming.
DeleteI have been looking at this book. It's available on kindle unlimited but a death doula who helps people who are dying deal with their regrets and disappointments I feel that would be depressing because at the end of one's life what can someone do about their regrets? The bigger message is live life to the fullest now and that I agree with. But I worry that I would read this book and feel bad for the people who don't have the time left to change things which is sad and kind of scary.
ReplyDeleteThis is NOT a depressing book at all. Because it's about Clover's journey and what she learns from the people she helps. There are some sad moments in it, but overall it's a very positive and heartwarming book about finding family, and friends, and learning to really live. I think it's one you would actually end up really liking.
DeleteThat sounds like it would be an emotional read.
ReplyDeleteIt is emotional...but in a good way.
DeleteThis sounds really good...love the character you describe and how she manages to handle her job of helping others deal with death. I read another book (cannot remember the title or author) about this profession and was totally intrigued by the possibilities.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good one. It's very well-written. The characters are very likable. And she makes a point in it about how most people are too afraid to even talk about death, but how it's really just part of life. I liked it a lot.
DeleteWow, sounds like an interesting read!
ReplyDeleteI love that quote. It sounds like a fascinating read, too.
ReplyDelete